Skip to main content

Schools

Popular Links

  1. ATLAS
  2. ATLAS Home

ATLAS Home

Area Transition Learning and Skills (ATLAS) serves adult students with varying abilities, ages 18-22nd Birthday, from member districts of the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative (PBEC). The PBEC includes the Aitkin, Brainerd, Crosby-Ironton, Pequot Lakes, Pillager and Pine River-Backus school districts.

Transition Domains
The program consists of instructional activities in the 5 transition domains:

  • Activities and Instruction

    This domain is a major point of emphasis at ATLAS.  Students will engage in activities to help prepare them for independent, semi-independent, or supported living.  Some topics of instruction include:

    • Clothing/laundry
    • Caring for personal needs
    • Health and safety
    • Money and time management
    • Interior/exterior home maintenance
    • Living with others
    • Self-awareness
    • Meal planning and preparation 

  • Students will spend about 50% of their time at ATLAS in the community. It is important for students to learn how to access their community. Some topics of instruction include:

    • Responsibility and safety
    • Communication and interpersonal skills
    • Engaging in community events
    • Accessing businesses, programs, transportation and resources
    • Mobility
    • Self-advocacy
    • Citizenship
    • YMCA

  • Knowing age-appropriate recreation and leisure options for students to engage in is a great way to occupy their free-time as well as a social avenue. Some topics of instruction include:

    • Interpersonal skills
    • Establishing hobbies
    • Accessing recreational facilities and activities
    • Fitness habits
    • Developing and maintaining friendships

  • Employment is another major point of emphasis at ATLAS. Students will learn soft-skills that will help prepare them for employment. Students will have hands-on experiences in work settings in the school and community. Some topics of instruction and activities include:

    • Following directions
    • Work habits and behaviors
    • Work attitude
    • Non-paid work-based learning experiences
    • Resume writing
    • Applying and interviewing for jobs
    • Interest inventories, skill assessment, and career matching

    Some volunteer work-based learning sites include:

    • Essentia Health Sports Center
    • The Center
    • Common Goods
    • Big Jay’s Pizza Arcade
    • ISD 181 (Various sites)
    • Crow Wing County Highway Department

  • Students will have the opportunity to explore post-secondary education and training options. Students will also engage in functional academics as they continue to prepare for post-secondary learning and employment.

ATLAS students manage a school store, which consists of items created by the students. Students are responsible for keeping records, pricing, planning, customer service, and handling money. The school store is open every school day.